Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Long before Lexington home buyers decide a certain
place must be theirs, it behooves them to ask a lot of
questions. For example: "How's the neighborhood?" or "How old is
that water heater, anyway?" Ask away! Such queries help you
pare down your options, so don't be bashful; real estate
agents have heard them all.

However, the adage "There's no such thing as a
stupid question" isn't always true. As proof, just check out this list of
the strangest questions real estate agents have ever heard about a
house from realtor.com. Cue the “Twilight Zone” music—things are about to get very, very weird.

1.'How do you keep alligators from coming up into the
toilet?'

Michael Lyons, a real estate broker with Lyons Realty Group
in Hollywood, FL, has certainly heard his share of concerns about
alligators lurking in yards, ponds, and swimming pools. But sneaking into the
house? Through a toilet? That left him stumped.

"I couldn't answer that question seriously," he
said. "So I made up some weird solution. I told them, 'pour vinegar down
the toilet once a month, they hate it.'"

This seemed to appease the buyers, who ended up purchasing
the house. No word on whether or not the vinegar trick worked.

2. 'Do any swingers live in the neighborhood?'

While home buyers often have questions about the neighbors,
this one was a first for Kate Julian, a real estate agent with City Chic
Real Estate, in Washington, DC.

"They said they were swingers and that's something they
were looking for," she said.

Unsure what to say, she countered with, "drive
around the neighborhood and see." After all, aren't swingers very friendly?

3. 'Does the car in the driveway come with the house?'

Chike Uzoka, a real estate agent with Weichert in Newark,
NJ, has heard of buyers asking whether many things "come with the
house," from chandeliers and furniture to appliances and pool
equipment. But a car?

The only way he could answer such a question was with
sarcasm: “If the attorney doesn't catch it in attorney review, then yes it
does!”

4. 'Is anyone buried in the backyard?'

Larry Prigal, a real estate agent with Re/Max in Gaithersburg,
MD, had no reason to believe the house he was selling had any corpses stashed
6 feet under. "So I joked, 'I’m not aware of anyone buried here, but
you can dig it up after you’ve settled on the property.'”

Who knows? Maybe the buyers were worried about our next
point...

5. 'Are there any ghosts in the house?'

When Chris Dossman, a real estate agent with Century 21
in Indianapolis, holds open houses at older homes, it's not
uncommon to hear creaks or creepy noises. That prompts a superstitious few to
pop the ghost question.

"I usually respond jokingly at first that there are
ghosts but that they're friendly, but then immediately follow with ‘just
kidding,’ because people can be really weird about those things,” Dossman said.
"Cellars and basements can be especially freaky, even to me."

Nonetheless, a haunted house is, in fact, a selling
point for some home buyers. Go figure.

6. 'I really like this house, but I need to pray about it.
Is that OK?'

Kimberly Sands, a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker
Sea Coast Advantage, in Wilmington, NC, said she gets this question (or
some variation of it) a fair amount, so she wasn’t alarmed, at first.

“I thought the would-be buyer would go home and pray
about it and then decide, so I said 'sure.'" That's when things got weird.

"All of the sudden she drops to her knees and starts
flailing her arms and yelling at the top of her lungs: ‘Dear Jesus, please send
me a sign, Jesus, a sign that I should buy this house!’ Meanwhile, I slowly
started inching toward the door planning a hasty escape. I ended up
waiting outside on the curb for her to come out for about 15 minutes. When
she came out, she was cool, composed, and had her answer: no."

7. 'Do you think the homeowner would give me the
house without a down payment?'

Children are welcome, although parents are asked to please
keep children from playing near the bandstand during the concert, out of
respect for the musicians and the audience. Children (of all ages) will be
invited to march around the bandstand during the last piece of each half of the
concert.

All concerts begin at 7:15pm. You can check whether a
concert has been cancelled (e.g., because of inclement weather) by calling
781-698-4647 after 4:30pm on the day of the concert.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Now’s the time to make sure your air conditioning is in
perfect working order. If you test your HVAC system today and find out it’s not
functioning properly, you need time to come up with a solution before the
weather gets unbearable.

First, replace your air filter to make sure the whole system
runs smoothly. Clear any debris on or around your vents or exhausts, and clean
off any dirt from the main unit outside. From there, test the unit itself to
make sure it’s doing its job.

If your unit isn’t working properly or efficiently, it might
be time to call in a professional. They’ll test the unit itself and test your
air ducts for any potential leaks.

If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat,
now might be a good time to bite the bullet and invest in one. You may also
consider a smart thermostat, that does the thinking (and programming) for
you to save energy and keep you comfortable. Depending on how often you
use your air conditioning in summer, you can cut your electric bill quite a
bit. If your AC unit is more than 15-20 years old, you might consider replacing
it with a more energy-efficient unit.

If you’re installing a window AC for the first time, it’s
probably easiest and safest to call in a professional. If you want to DIY, the
instructions will vary depending on the unit and what kind of window you’re
working with. Generally, though, you’ll have to install extensions around the
unit, fasten it down with brackets and with the upper window pane, then fasten
the extensions and seal the unit.

2. Test for Ventilation Leaks

Your air conditioner is functioning efficiently—great! If
you have leaks in your Lexington home, though, it doesn’t really matter, because that
perfectly cooled air is slowly leaking out. You can call in a professional, but
it’s simple enough to conduct your own home energy audit first.

First, look for actual leaks: drafts in your windows and
doors. If you do find any leaks, you can seal them up with caulk and
weather stripping.

If you’ve never checked the attic or basement insulation in
your Lexington home, it may have compacted over the years, which means it’s not
covering everything it should. Check your insulation for leaks and gaps. Former
Look around pipes and ductwork, specifically, and fill those areas using
expanding foam. You should also make sure the attic floor is insulated without
blocking vents.

3. Set Up a Barrier for Bugs

Summer weather seems to bring out the bugs!

First, make sure everything is properly sealed. And if you
checked for leaks, you’ve already done this. Check the caulking around your
windows and doors, then fix any drafts or gaps with new weather stripping and
caulking. Spray your outdoor perimeter with a pesticide, along with baseboards,
sinks, windows, and doors.

Read all the applicable warnings on the pesticide and make
sure your pets don’t get into it. There are also many DIY bug repellents out
there.

4. Change Your Ceiling Fan Direction

Yes, your ceiling fan is designed to rotate differently
depending on the season. In winter months, it should rotate clockwise to help
distribute heat that’s risen. In the summer, though, you should run your fan
counter-clockwise at higher speeds to get a breeze going.

Check to see which direction the fans in your home are
moving, and, if necessary, hit the small black switch near the base to change
directions.

5. Prevent Water Damage

Summer weather isn’t just hot and sticky. It can also be
stormy and, sometimes, dangerous. Check your basement for cracks and leaks.
Build up dirt or place grates outside your house to direct water away from the
foundation. If the dirt you currently have has settled around your house, water
will start running toward your house. As a general rule, a grate of
one-inch-per-foot will ensure proper water runoff.

Again, make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed
and caulked, too. You should also test your gutters. Turn on your garden hose
and place it inside the gutter so water begins to run. Then, walk around your
home’s perimeter and check the gutter. Look for water coming out of any places
it shouldn’t. You should also check your gutters for dips or sags where water
might pool near your house.

Inspect your roof to ensure it’s in good working order
(remove any debris and leaves while you’re up there).

Cracked caulk or rust spots on flashing.

Shingles that are buckling, curling, or blistering.

Missing or broken shingles.

Cracked and worn rubber boots around vent pipes.

Missing or damaged chimney cap...

Masses of moss and lichen, which could signal the roof is
decaying underneath. Black algae stains are just cosmetic.

You can check your indoor ceiling for early signs of
leaking, too. You might notice dark water stains or peeling paint. If you do
find a leak, you want to call in a professional as soon as possible, especially
if you live in an area that gets hit hard with summer rain.

Now is the time to make a few changes around your Lexington home to
prepare for the extreme weather. With a few tweaks and inspections, it’s easy
enough to make sure you’re in good shape by the time summer arrives.

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Are you giving your Lexington, MA home a major overhaul this
summer? There’s no better time to give your home the renovation it needs than
the present! However, any renovation is going to turn a portion of your home
into dust and chaos for a time. As your Lexington real estate agent, allow me
to share some tips on how to stay peaceful even during a home renovation.

You can’t renovate your entire Lexington, MA home at the
same time, because there would just be too many things happening at
once, and you’d have nowhere to spend your time. So, imagining that you’re only
remodeling one or two rooms at a time, here are some tips to help you keep
calm:

Designate a space for your belongings. If you’re renovating
your kitchen, you’ll need somewhere to go with your pots and pans, Tupperware,
dishes and so on. If you’re renovating your master bedroom, you’ll need
somewhere to go with your clothes. Designate a place in your home for these
belongings, such as a basement, garage, spare bedroom or a pod that you rent.
Add a shelving unit and fill it with clear, organized containers.

Turn other spaces in your home into a retreat. If a few of
your home spaces are torn up disaster zones, turn other spaces into zen
retreats. Give your bedroom, kitchen, living room or office a mini makeover so
that you feel rested and rejuvenated when you spend time in those rooms. Fill
them with items that you love, and consider adding plants or an essential oil
diffuser to keep you calm.

Escape to the outdoors. Maybe before you even begin your
Lexington home renovation, turn your backyard into an outdoor retreat. Add some
furnishings to your patio or deck, create a picnic spot in a shaded area of
your yard, hang a swing or hammock, or turn a shed into a peaceful family fort!

For more ideas on how to stay calm during a home renovation,
check out the tips in this HouseLogic article. Have you been there, done that?
Share your own tips for staying sane during a renovation by leaving a comment
below!

The evening will begin with a "red carpet" photo
experience and feature performances by Lexington's talented student
musical groups. The event will also include an auction of exciting items
and event tickets, followed by dancing to the music of Lexington's own David
Moore and the Butler Frogs!

Q&A for Friday, June 9:

Will there be food available on June 9?
A. We plan to have ice cream available for everyone as a sweet summer treat.

Is the event for June 9 on rain or shine?
A. Yes! We have a tent and activities will be sheltered in the event of rain,
but we are hoping for sun!

Is the event on Friday, June 9 a fundraiser?
A. Friday is all about families and fun, and it's FREE! We will have raffle
items and families may choose to purchase raffle tickets on-site.

Q&A for Saturday, June 10:

Are there limited tickets for this event?
A. Not at this time!

Is there an age limit for the Global Party on Saturday?
A. Saturday's event is for adults only. Some high school students will be
guests as musical performers and as Student Ambassadors to LEF at the beginning
of the evening.

Is the event for June 10 on rain or shine?
A. Yes! We have a tent and activities will be sheltered in the event of rain,
but we are hoping for sun!

I want to purchase a "table" for friends, where do
I do that?

A. We would love for you to bring friends! This year, we plan to have bistro
tables and group lounge-type seating and refreshments will be available
throughout the evening. If you would like to secure a bistro table for a group,
please view the sponsorship
options here »

I'd like to purchase a ticket for a LPS teacher or
staff member to attend, where do I do that?

A. Wonderful! There is a check box on the registration page to make a donation
for a staff/teacher ticket.

What is the attire recommendation?

A. The Under the Tent and Stars Planning Team suggests "nice party"
attire for socializing and dancing!

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As a real estate agent in the Lexington, MA area, I have the privilege of living and working in this amazing area. Each week, you can count on me for market updates, local events and what's happening in the area!

Please contact me if you have any questions about buying, selling or the Lexington, MA area. I am here to help!

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Many of the Greater Boston suburbs represent some of Massachusetts' most desirable living environments, blending remnants of picturesque farmland and sprawling open spaces with truly elegant estates and charming neighborhoods.
Regardless of where you settle in Boston’s attractive suburbs, you can look forward to an exceptional quality of life in one of the nation’s most dynamic metropolitan centers.